A blue sapphire engagement ring embodies faithfulness and truth, while adding colour to this symbol of your love. Blue sapphire engagement rings experienced a surge in popularity when Prince Charles presented one to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Twenty nine years later, when his son Prince William, gave the same ring to Kate Middleton, blue sapphires again become a popular choice for engagement rings. Proving that there’s more to this symbol of commitment than diamonds.
Everlasting Blue
Sapphires were much revered by ancient cultures, in fact the Persians believed that sapphires were the pedestal on which the world perched. They also thought that light reflecting off blue sapphires was what gave the sky its ultramarine hue. These much-coveted stones are believed to symbolise nobility and sincerity while blue represents trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence and intelligence. Blue sapphires in particular embody fidelity and truth - important qualities to take into a marriage. Blue sapphires are made of the mineral corundum and get their intense hue from the addition of titanium and iron. Similarly to rubies (also made of corundum), sapphires rate a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them hard-wearing, durable and highly suitable for an engagement ring.
the big blue
Its colour is what has the biggest influence on a sapphire’s value, with the most valuable stones being those that are a violet-blue in medium to medium-dark tones. Intensity of colour is also prized and you should look for stones that have a moderate to strong saturation - too little and they will look grey, too much and the stone will look too dark. The most prized sapphires come from Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Kashmir. As a result, you will pay more for stones from these countries. However, sapphires are mined all over the world - including Australia - and beautiful stones can be found to suit every budget.
blues in the news
Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge aren’t the only style setters to wear a blue sapphire engagement ring. Other celebrity sapphire lovers include Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor. She received an unusual domed cabochon sapphire ring from her second husband Michael Wilding. Actress turned fashion designer Mary-Kate Olsen’s vintage Cartier engagement ring features a diamond surrounded by 16 blue sapphires all set into an intricate twisted band. And designer Victoria Beckham has been fortunate enough to receive 14 engagement rings from husband David over the course of their 20-year marriage. One of which (number 10) was an oval cut sapphire set in a skinny pave diamond band. Each of these stunning rings is a perfect example of the power and beauty of blue-hued gemstones.
